Glimmer of hope for school's sixth form

THE final decision on whether to close the sixth form at Culcheth High School will be made not by Warrington Borough Council but by the government-appointed Schools’ Adjudicator – and campaigners feel this could offer a glimmer of hope that the facility can be saved.
In a joint statement, Cllrs Chris Vobe, Matt Smith and Bill Brinksman say there are strong arguments in favour of retaining post-16 education in Culcheth and they hope the Department for Education will take those arguments on board and make the right decision.
The three councillors led a campaign to save the sixth form after the school governors’ shock decision to close it – culminating in a successful “call in” which led to Warrington Borough Council’s scrutiny committee asking the executing board to reconsider their decision to support the governor’s stance.
But when the matter came before the executive it was revealed the matter had already been referred to the Schools’ Adjudicator.
It was no longer possible for the executive to change its decision.
Council leader, Cllr Terry O’Neill (pictured) said he believed it was “almost impossible” to run a sixth form at a school in a semi-rural area.
He said the sixth form at Culcheth had been struggling for years and if the borough had received an earlier warning about what was happening they might have been able to help in some way.
He added: “All we can do now is note the scrutiny committee’s concern and let the adjudicator know.
“If it is decided to keep the sixth form open I hope there will be some funding with it.”
In their statement, Cllrs Vobe, Smith and Brinksman said: “We hope that the adjudicator will listen to the views of people in both Culcheth, Glazebury and Croft, and Hollins Green.
“The call-in demonstrated that there were many strong arguments in favour of retaining post-16 provision in Culcheth village. We hope the Department for Education will take those arguments on board and make the right decision.”